The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-10-26

rors patron saint and one of the most re-
vered in the Russian Calendar. st. Alexan-
der, in life, was Royal Grand Duke aud q
warrior of high degree, who believed that
the proper way to convert heathen was to
thrash the life ont of him, and thus in the
outset prove TO him how meek and gentle
were the disciples of Christianity. After
lis canoDizaiion, his bones were brought
from the banks OF the Volga and reinterrsd
here IN q monastery bearing HE name;
built upon the spot where he is said 10
have defeated the SEedes in a great battle.
His tomb isof solid silver and cost ove-
100000 On this National holiday the
streets were black with people and all bust
ness of every kind was suspended. There
was an immense religious procession
headed by the Metropolitan of st. Peters
burg, followed by hundreds OF richly robed
priests chanting hymns, swinging censers
and bearing aIoft holy banners and images.
We are in the habit of thinking of Italy as
the county most Jealous in religious npserv-
ance, but l have never seen anything
in Italy to equal the deep and absorbing
devotion OF the Russian. On this occasion
many persons carried away With the fervor
which the surroundings inspired, threw
themselves on their faces in the open
streets along the line of the procession,
and arriving at the church of st. Alexan-
der, the Bishops and Priests were almost
mobbed by the fren lied people, who fought
to kiss their hands or touch the hem of
their garments. The police were obliged
to interfere in order that they might get
through the struggling mass at all. | have
never seen people who, at least to all
outward appearances, are so devoted TO
their church as the Russians. Religion en-
tiers into every affair in life; and with
them it is not an affair for Sunday or the
privacy of the closet, but it is as much a
Fart of them as the food they eat, the
clothes they wear. or the air they breathe.
AS the Russian hurries along the street
upon matters of greatest moment-even
life or death-ne does not forget to remove
his cap and repeat his prayer, passing
some holy shrine. This he never fails to
do upon passing any church or shrine, and
az they ale everywhere, he is necessarily
always at it. 1t appears rather strange
for instance to see whole street car full of
people suddenly uncoveriDg as they all go
10 crossing themselves, bowling and pray
ing at once, and probably repeating the
same thing half dozen times in almost as
many blocks. This open observance of
religious rites is particularly noticeable
among ali clssses and in all places.
In every store, hotel, railroad station.
and even in every drinking place, are
placed small shrines of the Savior or the
Virgin, before which the devout Russian
makes bis sign of the cross and offers p
his prayer. 1t is the same in the open
streets where more pretentious shriues and
chspeIs abound and where every plsser by
stops to cross himself, or kneel in ferYent
PRAYER; and / have seen the sidewalks
blocked up with people thus engaged.
Shrines are every where; priests are every
where; religion is everywhere aud enters
into the open life of all, prince and peas
ant alike Statues or figures such as are
used in Roman Catholic churches are for
hidden by the Greek Catholics, and there
fore only these peculiar shrines or images
are seen. In the churches they are made
with extravsgant richness and are studded
with Jewels and precious stones that have
been presented by pious lords and mobiles.
Greek churches are always built in the
form OF q Greek cross, and with their num-
erous brightly gilded domes and spires,
look more like Turkish Mosques or Chinese
Pagodss than Christian churches.
GREAT CATHEDRALs OF ST IsAAc's ETC.
After the procession OF st. Alex
an6er Was over, / followed the
crowd TO the great cathedral OF
st. Isaac's, where / witnessed the
solemn and impressive service OF the Greek
Catholic church. There are no seats for the
audience ano nearly every person as they
entered stopped at the little stand Just in
side the church and purchased q
small wax taper; which after being lighted
was devoutly placed before some shrine,
along with hundreds OF others A con-
siderable part of the service is chanted by
the priests, whose long, flowing hair and
boards give them particularly patriarchal
appearance. At the close of the serv .ce
the entire congregation passes to the altar
and, one by one, kiss the feet OF the Savior,
upon q small cross held in the hands OF the
officiating priest This is always done, aud
] observed that the priest was particularly
careful that no one touched the sacred
emblem except with the lips. The service
differs in many respects from that of the
Roman Church, and the two churches have
no connection or association, and are uo-
derstood TO dislike each other most cor
daily. The Greek priests are allowed to
marry, and have many other privileges not
recognized by the church of Rome. l be-
lieye have seen all the great cathedrsls of
the world and after st. Peters at Ro me,
st. Issac'si is to me the most magnificent
church Of Christeudom. 1t is grand, lofty
and awe inspiring, ana the wealth lavishei
upon its interior decoration is almost be-
/ yond belief. There are whole pillars of
malachlte and lspis lazui, and the various
shines contain dozens of rare jewels, one
of which would ransom king. The founda-
ton of this church, of itself, cost
million of dollars and fourteen
bushels of gold ducats were melted down
valuable treasures is a small circular tenn
pie or ''prestol," made of gold and rare
stones cad Jewels, which was presented by
| Count Demidof, the owner of the great 81.
berian malachite mines. 1t is valued at
over one million OF dollars. The next
church in importance after ST. Issac's, is
the cathedral of ''Our Lady of Kazan,"
which cost some three millions of dollars
when erected. The shrine of "0ur Lady"
is actually coveIered with immense dia-
mon6s and sappbires and before it is bal
ustrade with pillars twenty feet high, made
entirely of silver. Across the Neva, op-
posite the winter palace, stands the old
fort built by Peter, NOW a PRISON. and the
Cathedral of st, Peter and ST. Paul."
the church in which Peter the Great and
all the rulers of Russia are buried, kept
Peter H. The walls OF the church are COW
cred with battle flags captured from the
Turks, Poles, Swedes French, etc., and it
is evident that the Russians don't believe
in sending back the flags.
PITER THE GREAT AND HIS PEcULIARITIEs
Not far from this point is the
carefully preserved hut occupied by
Peter the Great when he was build
ing this grand city, and it was the first
house TO be erected on the banks of the
Neya- Part of it is preserved Just as
he left H. with his bedr0om